Metal and wood composite framing members for residential and light commercial construction

Abstract

Metal and wood composites are used to create framing members (studs and tracks, joists and bands, rafters, headers and the like.) for lightweight construction. Metal is utilized for its high strength, resistance to rot and insects, cost stability, and potentially lower cost through recycling. Metal that can be used includes roll formed steel approximately 18-22 gauge. Wood is used primarily for its lower thermal conductivity, and availability. The metal components form the primary structure while wood, either solid or other engineered wood, provides some structure and a thermal break. The invention connects J-shaped or triangular shaped metal forms to wood sections. The metal flange ends can have various J, C, L, right triangular, triangular, T and straight line cross-sectional shapes. The wood is fastened to the metal by machine pressing of the metal to wood. Alternatively the fastening includes nails, staples, screws, and the like, and also by adhesive glue. The outward faces of the metal members are pre-formed with four longitudinal ridges such that the contact surface area to applied sheathings is reduced by about 90%.

I claim: 
     
       1. A framing member for joists, rafters and headers, formed from mixed composite materials which is used for residential and light commercial construction, the framing member comprises: a substantially horizontal elongated web member having a first long side, a second long side opposite the first long side, a left end and a right end, the web member formed from one material;   a first triangular form connected to the first long side of the web member, the first triangular form having a flange flush against the first long side of the web member, and opposing flange returns for connecting the flange to the web member; and   a second triangular form connected to the second long side of the web member, the second triangular form having a flange flush against the second long side of the web member, and opposing flange returns for connecting the flange to the web member, the first triangular form and the second triangular form are formed from a second material, so that the first material and the second material are dissimilar from one another, wherein the framing member has increased thermal resistance over single metal framing members, and greater load capability over single wood framing members.   
     
     
       2. The framing member of claim 1, wherein the web member is formed from wood, and the first triangular form and the second triangular form are both formed from metal. 
     
     
       3. The framing member of claim 1, wherein the web member includes: a first web member;   a second web member; and   a connecting plate sandwiched between the first and the second web members for attaching the first and the second web members together for increasing the load capability of the framing member.   
     
     
       4. The framing member of claim 1 wherein the first triangular form and the second triangular form each include: parallel web connecting portions supporting the opposing flange returns which support the base, each of the parallel web connecting portions on opposite faces of the web member.   
     
     
       5. A framing member for joists, rafters and headers, formed from mixed composite materials which is used for residential and light commercial construction, the framing member comprises: a substantially horizontal elongated web member having a first long side, a second long side opposite the first long side, a left end and a right end, the web member formed from wood, the web member having a first member, a second member, and a connecting plate sandwiched between the first and the second members for attaching the first and the second members together;   a first triangular form connected to the first long side of the web member, the first triangular form having a flange flush against the first long side of the web member, and opposing flange returns for connecting the flange to the web member, the first triangular form having first parallel web connecting portions for supporting the opposing flange returns which support the flange, the first parallel web connecting portions positioned on opposite faces of the web member; and   a second triangular form connected to the second long side of the web member, the second triangular form having a flange flush against the second long side of the web member, and opposing flange returns for connecting the flange to the web member, the second triangular leg having second parallel web connecting portions for supporting tie opposing flange returns which support the flange, the second parallel web connecting portions positioned on opposite faces of the web member, the first triangular form and the second triangular form are formed from metal, wherein the framing member has increased thermal resistance over single metal framing members, and greater load capability over single wood framing members.